A parliamentary committee will hold public hearings in Narrabri and Tamworth this week regarding Member for Barwon Roy Butlers’ Bill to split Hunter New England Health, with Mr Butler saying there should be more consideration given regarding extra jobs and investment that would flow into the New England and north-west regions.

Hunter New England Health CEO Tracey McCosker has said it currently costs around $201 million each year to run the health district, and estimated creating a new health district would cost an extra $111 million a year.

“There’s no doubt a New England Health District would reallocate resources from  Newcastle to Tamworth and other local towns, with an influx of well-paid jobs boosting the inland economy,” Mr Butler said.

“These extra jobs would really just be returning investment to the local towns where it should have been in the first place.

“However, the split would be a reallocation rather than a duplication of resources, as the Hunter district should be able to significantly reduce their management structure given they would only have half the area to manage.

“The New England Health district was described as one of the most efficient in the state  before amalgamation, and there’s no reason it couldn’t be again,” he said.

“Hunter New England Health’s estimate of an extra $111 million per year to run New England Health should be seen for what it is – a distraction from the real issue of improving  country health services.”

The Legislative Assembly on Community Services will hold public hearings into Mr Butler’s

Bill to split Hunter New England Health at Narrabri Shire Council tomorrow, August 12, and

Tamworth Jockey Club on Wednesday, August 13.

“While returning jobs and investment to our region would be very welcome, the main point

of my Bill is to improve health services by returning decision-making to local communities.

“Country communities should be allowed to look after their own,” Mr Butler said.